The Role Of Mental Illness In Court

Question 1

What are the four categories of mental disorder associated with crime?

Answer 1

1. Schizophrenia
2. Paranoid or delusional disorders
3. Mood disorders
4. Antisocial personality disorder

Question 2

What are the five symptoms assessed for schizophrenics?

Answer 2

Delusions
Hallucinating 
Disorganized speech
Disorganized behaviour
Inappropriate affect

Question 3

Of the five symptoms checked for schizophrenia, what is the rule?

Answer 3

At least two of them must be present for six months

Question 4

What are the five subtypes of schizophrenia?

Answer 4

1. disorganized type
2. Catatonic type
3. Paranoid type
4. Residual type
5. Undifferentiated type

Question 5

Define the disorganized type of schizophrenia

Answer 5

Inappropriate affect, marked incoherence and disorganized thought patterns
Not often criminals

Question 6

Define the catatonic type of schizophrenia

Answer 6

Severe disturbance in muscular and voluntary movements
Parroting and being mute often occur
Not often criminals

Question 7

Define the paranoid type of schizophrenia

Answer 7

Audible hallucinations and delusions

Most likely to be criminals!

Question 8

Define the undifferentiated type of schizophrenia

Answer 8

Symptoms that don’t fit into one of the other types

Question 9

Define the residual type of schizophrenia

Answer 9

Had at least one episode in the past, one or more symptom may be lingering or don’t meet criteria anymore.
Not often criminals.

Question 10

Define paranoid/delusional disorders

Answer 10

• presence of non-bizarre delusions (at least 1 month)
• no hallucinations
• often accompanied by other mental issues

Question 11

What type of paranoid/delusional disorders are associated with criminal conduct?

Answer 11

Persecutory type

Question 12

Define mood disorders

Answer 12

• Extremely depressed state lasting two weeks minimum
• loss of mental and physical activity, frequent thoughts of suicide
• people feel worthless and don’t care what happens to them, leading them to crime

Question 13

Define antisocial personality disorders

Answer 13

• History of violating the rights of others
• unable to make good lasting relationships
• can’t become fully independent or self-supporting
• must exhibit at least 3 behavioural patterns (slide 5)

Question 14

Define mental disorders in relation to crime

Answer 14

A disorder of the mind that is judged by experts to interfere substantially with a person’s ability to cope with life on a daily basis

Question 15

The presence of what two things in a mentally ill person significantly increase the likelihood for violence?

Answer 15

Delusions and hallucinations

Question 16

In what demographic is there a significant link between depression and crime?

Answer 16

Teenage girls

Question 17

Schizophrenic delusions are considered non-bizarre.

Answer 17

False. They are considered bizarre